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Chocolate Pecan Pie & Spiced Apple Cider

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BakeInTheFun #CollectiveBias

Come fall in love with this rich, gooey seasonal classic served alongside a simple spiced apple cider.

Living the Gourmet: Chocolate Pecan Pie & Spiced Apple Juice | #BakeInTheFun #Ad

I can’t help the feeling that just when all my summertime dreams seem to be taking shape, the days begin growing shorter, the hastening sunsets ushering in the night’s dark over my sunlit plans as if a final curtain call were being signaled each evening just a tad too early.

As the number of plastic ghouls and cardboard undead began growing across the store shelves, family cookouts begin growing less across the calendar until the fall chill is entirely unavoidable, and the grill is reluctantly set aside for the year’s remainder.

Living the Gourmet: Chocolate Pecan Pie & Spiced Apple Juice | #BakeInTheFun #Ad

Yet, as the month dedicated to Rome’s first Emperor draws to a close, I find myself more and more welcoming of autumn’s unofficial rituals, such as marking the changing of the leaves while gradually acclimating to the chilling air. Then of course there’s the annual sport of openly lamenting the short days that we somehow never truly learn to accept.

Living the Gourmet: Chocolate Pecan Pie & Spiced Apple Juice | #BakeInTheFun #Ad

However, as I have noted in previous posts, pumpkin spice lattes never taste quite the same when sipped beneath the sun of an over-long summer day, and one can’t forget fall’s signature candy corns that serve as a sort of seasonal consolation prize for chilled air. Yet, despite my predisposition towards the candy variety of corn, it was during a supply run to my local Walmart that I noticed the rollover special on M&M’s® – one of my absolute favorites. Ironically, this season the new M&M’s® Milk Chocolate Harvest, M&M’s® Peanut Harvest, and M&M’s® Pecan Pie will be available at Walmart so be sure to pick up a bag while your out and try the season’s newest favorite!

So with that in mind, the M&M’s® Pecan Pie was the inspiration for today’s fall themed dessert – a Pecan Pie enhanced with M&M’s® candies.

While traditional pecan pie is one my family’s favorites, especially in the fall months, I decided to do a bit of a test run this time around with something a bit out of the ordinary. To begin, I added an assortment of M&M’s® to the pie filling, for an added dash of sweetness and an emphasis on the pecan flavor from the M&M’s® Pecan Pie.

Living the Gourmet: Chocolate Pecan Pie & Spiced Apple Juice | #BakeInTheFun #Ad

I also decided to try something new for the crust, using Pillsbury™ Most Supreme® Cake Mix to ensure a soft, almost cookie-like texture. While that baked, I put together some fresh whipped cream, and tied it all together with a Snapple® Apple as a sort of exclamation point on today’s fall theme.

Needless to say, the pecan pie turned out exactly as I had hoped, embodying fall flavors, with a slant towards the fun and the playful courtesy of the M&M’s®, while the Pillsbury™ gave the crust exactly the texture and consistency I had envisioned, the moist base perfectly complementing the pie filling.

Living the Gourmet: Chocolate Pecan Pie & Spiced Apple Juice | #BakeInTheFun #AdLiving the Gourmet: Chocolate Pecan Pie & Spiced Apple Juice | #BakeInTheFun #Ad

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Chocolate Pecan PieSpiced Apple Cider

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 15 reviews
  • Author: Living the Gourmet
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 3 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

Cake Mix Crust:

  • 1 box of Pillsbury™ Moist Supreme® Cake Mix (I used the classic yellow cake)
  • 6 tbs. butter – softened
  • 1 cup oats
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup Mott’s® Apple Juice
  • Flour for dusting

Chocolate Pecan Filling:

  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 tbs. flour
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 tbs. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • 1 cup of M&M’s® Milk Chocolate
  • 2 cups Mott’s® Apple Juice
  • 1 cup Snapple® Apple
  • 1 apple, sliced
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 star anise

Instructions

Cake Mix Crust:

  1. Preheat Oven 350 degrees F.
  2. In a large bowl combine the cake mix, oats, and butter; mix until crumbly. Make a well in the center and add the apple juice; combine to form a dough and form into a ball.
  3. Dust a clean surface with flour and roll out the dough and to fit a nine inch pie plate or tart pan.
  4. Poke the bottom the pie plate with a fork and bake the crust for 10 minutes.
  5. Remove from oven and let cool.

Chocolate Pecan Filling:

  1. Place the M&M’s® in a food processor and process until almost smooth.
  2. Place the eggs in a food processor and beat on medium speed.
  3. Add the sugar, vanilla, corn syrup, flour and salt to the eggs and continue to beat.
  4. To the mixer add the M&M’s®, chopped pecans and butter and mix well.
  5. Pour into the cooled pie crust.
  6. Bake 45 – 50 minutes or until set.
  7. Let cool and serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
  8. In a small saucepan, bring all of the ingredients to a simmer over medium-low heat.
  9. Remove from heat and serve!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

Living the Gourmet: Chocolate Pecan Pie & Spiced Apple Juice | #BakeInTheFun #Ad

That was our take on a traditional favorite, what are some of the ways you’ll be kicking up your seasonal favorites? What are some of the things you do to help get into the autumn spirit? I would love to hear from you! Don’t forget to print your coupon and save on your next M&M’s®purchase!

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Enjoy with Love!

1

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Liz says

    Much as I’m not ready for summer to end, desserts like your fabulous pecan pie will make the transition much happier! I love that you added M&M’s—genius!

    Reply

  3. Jessica Jarrell says

    Yum! I love the idea of using mott’s and snapple to make cider! What a great idea. I love, love, LOVE cider, so I will be testing this out for sure! Have a great weekend Catherine! 🙂

    Reply

  6. Stephanie says

    Oh my, this looks amazing! I love pecan pie, but never thought of making it with chocolate. I’m so glad you shared this with Roses of Inspiration.

    Reply

  14. AnnMarie says

    Pecan pie is one of my all time favorites! I must try it with M&M’s. They go with everything. Pinned! I love Fall and looking forward to all the recipes you will be sharing!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  15. Big Daddy Dave says

    Catherine, That chocolate pecan pie is just beautiful! Save a slice for me… Thanks for the recipe. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

    Reply

  19. [email protected] says

    Catherine, this pie is just gorgeous! I’ve never heard of a pie crust recipe using cake mix. What a brilliant idea. And the spiced apple cider is making me look forward to autumn!

    Reply

  20. Dottie Sauchelli-Balin says

    Dear Catherine,
    Boy are you a pioneer in pie baking! You are fantastic when you whip up these dessert or meals. I never have tasted Pecan pie and Chocolate Pecan Pie well that takes it over the edge. Must be scrumptious! I like the crust that you made. The M&M’s really add that party effect..I also love the way you have all the decorations of the leaves around the pie. I can’t wait for those chilly fall days…The Spiced Apple Cider drink is right up my alley. Love these type of drinks, especially when the fall is really upon us..Good post and what delicious recipes..thanks for sharing. Have a blessed week ahead..
    Dottie 🙂

    Reply

  23. allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says

    Dear Catherine, What a decadent pie for fall! I love the M & M’s. I’m sorry to report some of my children are averse to nuts. I know. Hard to imagine. But they all love chocolate. Perhaps this lovely pie will win them over to pecans….

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  24. Miz Helen says

    Your pie will sure get us in the mood for fall. This is a beautiful Pecan Pie, it looks delicious. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  26. swathi says

    Chocolate pecan pie looks delicious and perfect transition to fall, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.

    Reply

  29. April J Harris says

    What wonderful recipes, Catherine! Love both the Chocolate Pecan Pie and the Spiced Apple Cider. What a fantastic crust you have used on the pie. Love all the autumn flavours you have used!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  32. Samantha K says

    This looks amazing! Pecan pie is my husband’s favorite pie and I bet he would LOVE this! (client)

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  33. Manila Spoon says

    Chocolate Pecan Pie is my ultimate fall dessert! Your pie looks so scrumptious in any angle, Catherine! Love it and thanks for the step-by-step tutorials!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  36. KC the Kitchen Chopper says

    What a beautiful presentation. I can’t believe we’re about to enter into the holiday season. Your recipe for the pecan pie and apple cider make me happy fall is just around the corner.

    Reply

  39. Krsiten says

    wow! what a way to take it to the next level!!!! I can’t wait for fall!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  40. Diane says

    I love the way you used those M and Ms! This pie is a stunner! Yes, I’m going crying into the shorter days. I’m not ready fort he dreariness. But fall is SO beautiful, as your post reminds. Thank you for brightening my day!

    Reply

  47. Julie says

    Hi and Happy Friday. Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful recipes at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
    Have a nice weekend and we hope to see you again on Monday!
    Julie

    Reply

  48. Stephanie says

    Just dropping in to let you know that this amazing post will be featured at Roses of Inspiration later today. Thanks for sharing and have a great week!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  49. Julie says

    I love these recipes and they are perfect for fall. I’m just letting you know that I featured you this week at our Monday Cooking and Crafting with J & J Link Up.
    We hope to see you again this week.
    Thanks and have a nice week.
    Julie @ Julie’s Lifestyle

    Reply

  50. Heaven says

    Your picture hooked me and the recipe sounds delicious! So creative, too. Pinning, stumbling, and yumming. Following your board on Pinterest, too!

    Reply

  51. Elizabeth says

    Love this post! You have put me in the autumn mood! Pumpkin flavored breads and coffees are my first things of fall!

    Reply

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